2,242 comments:

The last day of NPL games overlapped with 1st day of Disney games on Saturday so I don't believe players could be in 2 places at once. Troutman is a 2000 Team that looks much improved from last year judging by the teams results at EDP Cup in November and NPL results last weekend in Florida.

I would not pay for Top Drawer but I'm a member for now because we got a membership since my kid did a Top Drawer showcase. You may have noticed this already but everything they write is geared towards ECNL on the girls side (and DA on the boys side). $4 a month just to see who they think were the top players at some event, when they only watch maybe 3 or 4 games per day, just doesn't seem a good value.

So my family comes back from Disney and tells me that we had several players from the team below and above us play with our team which cut many kids minutes. Other parents tell me I should be happy we won. But in the end we did not Aberbush did. We entered wags and casl as averbush and then were changed to fury but our DOC could net get Disney changed so in the end Averbush gets credit for the win not fury. On top of that I hear our captain stayed home for basketball and that one of the older girls mom was bragging how the wildcats will work around her basketball schedule and it's ok if she misses some so this is why she joined wildcats this year. Why are we rewarding kids who are not dedicated to the team? I could not make this up if I tried.

It doesn't matter about a "team" at this point. If you are a freshman or sophomore college coaches are watching individual players not teams. If your daughter played and played well that's all that counts.

Soccer is a team sport and it's all about the team and how the player fits in.Yes coaches are watching the players not how many step overs they do but how they connect with their team and how they play their ROLE on the TEAM. How can you say it doesn't matter about the team - Life is about fitting into a team either in a family or at work.

The girl who also plays hs basketball was in florida playing with wildcats. Is everything that comes out of your mouth a lie. Wildcat parent my eye. Everyone knows who you are and your attempts at mistepresenting yourself are obvious and tiresome. But trying to turn winning top flight at Disney into a negative is a stretch even for you.

I didn't intimate that the an individual player not be a team player. What I meant is that the college coaches coming to watch and recruit could care less of the team your daughter is on is the best team. They are only lookkng at the players as an individual. OfCourse she must be a team player among other attributes.

12:33 so why even mention that - soccer is a team sport with players playing different roles. There should be no difference between practice, league game and showcase it's all the same as far as playing and being part of a team. So if the team doesn't why is their a top of the pyramid? F1, F2 and so on? Doesn't the team have to be good to get to F1? or is random pick out of a hat?

It's always about the team and playing for your team putting your body in front of a shot to help your goalie or sprinting back on Def to stop a counter when you are an attacking player. You said "It doesn't matter about a "team" at this point." College coaches were never looking at the team NEVER. So why say it. I'm talking about the parents that tell their kids to dribble and not pass the ball score the goals so you look good. How many times do I hear parents asking their kids how many goals did you score? Who cares if they stayed and watched they would have seen how good their kids played without scoring any goals.

My point is college coaches always come to recruit the player that is a given and has never changed and never will. But if they have free time to go watch a game - they will watch top flight games before bottom flight games any day of the week, I would.

If a "not so top flight" (your description) team's player caught the attention of the coach at a clinic, even by e-mail - then the coach might forego a "better" (your word) game to see the "lesser" one.

for 2019's jeff cup very important. Sophomore year is now most highly recruited year, not junior year. You are wrong as most power 5 conference schools have all their athletic scholarship money promised by end of sophomore year for that class.Be careful of putting out inaccurate posts for those parents who need accurate info for their children.

What I am saying is the P5 will be in AZ. There are good teams at Jeff Cup, but many of the top teams don't attend, thus, not as many P5 schools. Jeff Cup does get some P5 schools to show, but it is mostly mid-majors and the focus of mid-majors are the 2018's and 19's. Sorry, but the P5 focus on the ECNL national events, which are much bigger events for recruiting and huge for the 2019's & 20's playing on U16 teams. ALL the P5 schools will be in Phoenix, but they won't be at Jeff Cup. Accurate.

Yes and I am sure they will be focused on the 2017's as you claim. You are a misinformed ignorant person. Many of the Region 1 ECNL Teams are playing at Jefferson Cup you fool. And all the college coaches from Region 1 will be there as they were at Raleigh for CASL event and as they will be in Vegas for that event the week before Jefferson Cup.

So 1:17 let me get this straight, all the top ECNL Teams wont be at Jefferson Cup? did you bother to even look at Champiosnship flight? Its as strong or stronger as any tournament flight I have seen this year. Including the ECNL events.Even flight 2 is fill with strong teams and the ECNL Clubs are ALL represented. Also tell us again how this springs tournaments are the biggest recruiting events for 2018 junior class, not 2019 sophomore class. You are an absolute Buffoon!

But their is no athletic scholarship money left for 2019's now in the spring of their junior year for major conference programs. Those schools have finished their recruitment of the 2019 current hs junior class and are now wrapping up the 2020's sophomore class this spring and will begin looking at the 2020 frosh class as well. If you are an uncommitted junior/2019 class then you are looking at mid majors at this point if you expect to get ANY athletic money.

You don't get a high turnout of coaches in Vegas. Just does not happen anymore. Coaches of those teams will tell the players and parents to justify the cost of the trip, but it's not ECNL AZ, although club coaches will try to spin it that way.

You do get the highest turnout of coaches at the ECNL events in the spring. ECNL AZ and NJ have all the P5 schools and they will be focused in on the 2019's and 20's.

Jeff Cup and CASL are good events, but still not at the level of the ECNL national events. Jeff Cup is still great for the 2018's.

FALSE. There is still money out there for 2019 players.

Yes, there are very good teams playing at Jeff Cup, but not as good as the ECNL national events. That is why the two biggest events of the spring for recruiting will be ECNL AZ and NJ.

Name calling is fine with me. In the end, you will see that I am correct. All the best in Vegas...

Yes, 2017's are the current seniors; and 2018's are the current juniors; and 2019's are current sophomores. 2019's are not juniors as an above poster proclaims. So, school are STILL recruiting 2018's very heavily.

No power 5 schools are still recruiting hs jumiors and look at jeff cup all region 1 ecnl teams are there. Every one. You are mistaken. Jeff Cup has best of both ecnl and non ecnl teams. That is why all the colleges will be there. They can see everyone.

2:53 - many know that most ECNL teams won't play commits. So, not getting a true peek at the regular team and how kids really play within the soccer systems from which they are recruiting as some will be in different positions, etc. Just hoping the weather is good and all the participants have a good showing.

I love how this blog talks about kids being recruited in their sophomore year! Stop dreaming! As of right now only 2 kids playing fro respected teams have been committed to top D1 schools and your isn't one of them.

Message to the mature parents out there...we are now parents of 2001 girls, stop trying to make your daughter's team out to be the best by destroying others, get a life.Be a parent, help your daughter do her best to help her succeed in life.Lots of bullies and trolls around here, still stuck in the U12 years, living vicariously through their kids because they missed out on opportunities when they were young.Oh...and Obama is done and Trump won, get over it!Why not offer some helpful hints for those parents who are new to this showcasing instead of being pompous asses?

What's the definition of a "respected team"? W-L record? Coach's attitude? Players' attitudes? League? I thought recruitment was all about the player's ability, not the team's. Plenty of good players out there, that for one reason or another, do not play for a "brand name" or so-called respected team.

True. I agree with poster after looking at jeffeson Cup acceptances. those top 3 flights are very strong indeed. Couldn't figure out why someone was trashing Jefferson Cup on here. Then I went through the list again and realized for some reason MatchFit decided not to send their teams. so it is most likely Matchfit trying to run down Jefferson Cup as unimportant and Arizona event as the place to be as that is evidently what they tried to sell their parents.

Jeff Cup flights are horrible. There is no organization whatsoever. The tournament needs to stop following GotSoccer. The better teams don't go after the GotSoccer points therefore they're in the lower flights.

9:24 I guess I need to get a life, because i love talking best teams or maybe I should say quality teams and I use results the only metric you can use to avoid opinions and being bias. Now if the results (which we have no control over but our girls do) destroy a team or pump up a team why is that taboo?

My kid wants to play in college and she has filled out D1 questionnaires, attended D1 ID clinics, talked to D3 coaches and visited schools on a list she prepared with no input from me.

If we don't talk results what do we talk about? it's not right to talk about kids, I think the college thing has been talked about with no new information to be discovered.

12:13 I don't see why they wouldn't. They have a great set up, the DA just set up a u15 age so know we have u13,u14 and u15 single age groups, cha ching. The have the brand and people will do anything to have their kids be on one of their rosters even if they are the 24th player.

12:07 teams (parents) that might be upset they are not in the top 3 (Championship, Elite or Superior flights) are listed below.

11:12 genius move to some how drag MF into this. No disrespect but i would take Arizona over Virginia as a tournament location any day of the week (my kid happens to want to go out west)

8:52 - clearly you don't have access to The List. There are many more than 2 top level sophomores verbally committed to top level programs. I know of more than two personally. And, my older daughter committed late in her soph year. It happens. Just don't rush it and make sure all the stars align.

More importantly, as the poster noted, there are plenty of soccer spots out there; don't panic.

I understand that every team can't be in the top fllights but some of the teams listed in top 3 flights have to know they shouldn't be there. It's quite obvious. The Jeff Cup people definitely dropped the ball this year.

These are some teams I think are to high, but i wouldn't replace them with any of the teams I listed previously.

These tournaments brag about their 1 goal games. Destroy the teams that you play other events will take notice as tournaments hate one sided games as it's a waste of time for the colleges and negative press.

Honestly these futsal tournaments and indoor tournaments are a waste of time at the HS ages even the younger ages in my opinion. Just train with the team and relax on the weekends before Spring kicks into gear.

I remember back a few years posters were trying to sell some futsal national Championship in CA and the Wildwood event as the place to be - where are they now, since the posts stopped? Oh it's about the individual these days right? Always has been.

4:55 Let me understand your kid is a better player because of the futsal tournaments and not the futsal training?

I love the training could careless about the games, most of the games played were not vs very good teams and the skilled players did a bunch of 1v1 and long range shooting. Kids will be kids. But to each their own, happy your kids love it.

Kids will be different. They will be able to sift out the kids that won't have the ability to play at that level for the kids that want to play GDA. So, coaches will have kids that get it and can execute it.

So we will have 10 girls from 2002 and 10 girls from 2001 with only 18 dressing for games and of the 18 only 14 playing. Yup some girls will get it and some will practice 4x per week and sit more than they play. But at least we have showcase events for them to play in right?

What ever makes you happy. If your kid is DA and you are paying you are not one of the players getting the push and PT will not be guaranteed. Not sure paying over 2k is worth training 4x with limited PT.

**BEWARE** PDA Splash coach JB is a miserable human being. Do NOT bring your daughter to PDA. He had 6 new players at practice last week because the team is losing. He knows nothing about soccer, and less about developing players. Don't let him berate your daughter. Worst coach in NJ

STAY AWAY from PDA Splash until they fire this coach. No they are not looking at new players for GDA. The coach is terrible and doesn't develop players. He's knows nothing about soccer and loyalty. They haven't won a game since June. Last year he brought new players in for the playoffs after getting a top seed and they couldn't get out of the first round. JB is the worst coach in NJ. Bring your daughte elsewhere if you want to further her soccer skills. Beardsley is awful.

GDA is for serious players that want quality training 4 days a week so they can compete for a spot on a YNT or maybe even play pro some day. College is a given since these player pools should be the best of the best and will be a place to recruit.

ECNL is for the serious players that also want the above but have no GDA near them and for the players that did not make the GDA team at their club. College is a given.

That's the problem i think you guys are missing committed or not committed the GDA is for players that have national team dreams. If they don't - don't go and stop trying to change the GDA - it's an ACADEMY system for serious soccer players not players looking for scholarship money.

DA is set up for that purpose. Of course it will have everything you said and of course anyone can tryout and participate it's an Academy to create soccer players and I would guess this is for the players and parents willing to sacrifice. Money, travel, time away from school so if college is your priority maybe it's not the place for your kid if they are good and going to get NT looks.

Go NT camps in CA (a few times)Play tournaments outside the USthis is in addition to the 4 days of training and tournaments they play with their academy club.

So if the girls are talking HS soccer then an Academy is not for them. Stick to ECNL or any other team preparing their players for College. Yes Academy players will go to top programs as not all will play NT - but they all want to play NT in the Olympics not HS soccer.

I agree 2:05 go to the level for your kid and be happy with it, the number of years our kids are going to play soccer can almost be counted on one hand unless of course your kid wants to be a pro - then I wish her good luck.

And many kids burnout even before they finish high school. A lot of talk about training days and overuse injuries, but not much talk about psychology. Or, is burnout part of the development process, and those who cannot handle the mental side of the training pace and competition as an adolescent drop by the wayside leaving only the mentally strong for college and beyond?

LOL...PDA is and always has been, all about who you know and how much you can suck up. If you've made the team you're obviously very good, but what sets you apart from then next girl is how much of the coolade you drink, or how much your parents can suck up. With very good knowledge of that team, there are girls on there that are elevated to National pool/team status and getting verbal commits (1 to Rutgers, no surprise)that are quite FRANKly not very good.How does one player go from not cracking the starting 11 with a previous coach to getting a YNT nod?

PDA is no different than any other Elite team (without going into the fact that they don't develop talent there), coaches will have favorites and those girls for whatever reason that they don't like. The chosen girls will play more and get a push while some will not play much. That all being said, some parents just know how to play the game much better than others. I just happen to know the girls whose gotten the push there and they are not any better than anyone else, which opened my eyes to the old saying It's not what you know, it's who you know.11:37, I'm assuming you know who I am talking about, so can you explain to me how a player can ride the bench with the head coach in the last age group and miraculously get a verbal from RU and a Natty pool invite?One trick pony...how many times can you cut the ball back.and just a hint, I'm not even talking about the girl who came from matchfit.

Hoping and looking for some factual answers and experiences..My daughter wants to tryout for DA at PF. We technically could drive to Classics or Spirit instead.Other than travel expenses to the club, can I get pros and cons from any PF, Classic or Spirit parents?

PF hasn't announced the coaches for the DA. But I would guess the 01 coach will coach the 01/02 team. He is an outstanding trainer. All kids improve under his tutelage. His downside is he has clear favorites. Maybe this is just human, but he wears it on his sleeve. If your kid is among them then she will love it at PF. If not, she will have to work a little harder to win his favor. All training sessions are well organized and happen on time. Venues are excellent. Competition excellent. Have been with the club for 4 years. Not considering a change. Kid not interested in high school soccer.

I don't know much about PAC. This advice could apply to both clubs:

Maybe look on got soccer to see how they did against known competition. Go to ID sessions if they have them to gauge the player level and try to imagine how your kid will fit in. Watch a training session run by the named coach to get a feel of how he manages training and the kids. Ideally watch a game in March to see the coach and team in action. That's pretty much what we did when our kid wanted a change.

If she can really make the DA then PF is the place to take her. PF is ready for DA, especially of they merge with CFC.

If it is a toss up that she can make PF then take her to PAC. She will be able to make the DA at PAC. They cant compete with ECNL teams right now. The PAC teams cant beat the NPL teams so they will need girls that can compete.

Both clubs will be holding DA ID Clinics soon enough. You will be able to take your daughter to those and see how she stacks up. You could just contact the clubs now and take her to practices.

Thanks for the infoWe are going to meeting at PF and I've been doing my gs researchI haven't seen any info on PAC site since the original message regarding ID They have our info, hoping to hear something

"They cant compete with ECNL teams right now. The PAC teams cant beat the NPL teams so they will need girls that can compete."ECNL teams don't even play them do they? Many tournaments keep ecnl on their own

"which kind of defeats the purpose of a DA" :)So this is a program for the disadvantaged?PF will end up with sheep shuffle, I don't think they will add teams but instead split up existing ones. Where are all these new players coming from?

What rentals? PF has it's own facilities and stadium. New fields installed at a common facility belong to each of those respective clubs. Both have a lot of players under their umbrella (boys and girls - all levels).

PAC haven’t done a very good job to date with their girl’s teams. The 98, 00 and 01 teams are weak and the club seems to be hiding the teams. They haven’t played in any high level events and their recent results vs. low level teams haven’t been very good. The current staff doesn’t seem to be suited for coaching talented female players. If PAC wants to become the top GDA they need to start making changes. If PAC improves the coaching staff, brings in a DOC that understands female players and grows the club by doing right by the female player, they shouldn’t have a problem keeping the Central PA players at home and drawing players from outside the area.

PF are doing a poor job developing homegrown female players. Recruiting has been the key to keeping things together at PF and without recruiting they would be in big trouble. Roster turnover at PF is huge and every year there are fewer players from the PF area on their ECNL rosters. Players don’t get better at PF; they just get replaced with other players that have been developed at other clubs. This isn’t a sign of a quality club and is a big part of the problem within girl’s soccer.

Right now 2001 players (2019-20 grads) and older don’t need the GDA for recruiting or getting on the national team. Players currently playing at the ECNL level should be identified by the ECNL NJ (PDA) recruiting event. There won’t be a reason to leave their current club team. For the players 2002 and younger, GDA will become the highest level for players. Of course it won’t be the only way to get college exposure, but it will be most direct path. Both clubs need to improve in a big way or they will quickly fall behind the rest.

You clearly have a problem with PF. I'm in the organization and say you are wrong. My daughter is doing extremely well there. You probably have another motive; to get kids to move. Competitor or looking for spots for own/others. Not everyone posts with good intentions.

@10:26 - Are you saying that all Clubs don't take kids that have talent that they can develop further? Are you also saying that some kids don't hit a ceiling? Rubbish. It's called athletics and it happens as kids get older. Happens all the time in all sports.

You say turnover at PF is huge. Like the poster above, I disagree. Many stay at PF. Plenty of the kids in their Club are the same. The fact the same kids keep returning is what you need to look at . And, they do.I am sure the same with many Clubs. Oh, and my kid did come into PF from another club a year or two ago where she was not developing. She has been flourishing under their direction. So, you say they recruit. I say they provide opportunity. She sought them and hasn't looked back.

Absolutely agree. The collection of players at the perceived "best" team has been the case for years before the ECNL/DA. Rosters experience some turn over for year to year as early developers hit their ceiling and/or lose interest and the success of the team and reputation of the coach attracts the better players from the area. There is nothing new there. I actually think that PF has an unusually large number of players who were original WCUSC kids present in their older age groups. In the older 3 age groups with the age change there was very little roster turnover. I am not sure the 99/98 and 00 even added any new players.

The 01 coach is one of the best trainers in the NE. If your kid can play for him you should be thrilled.

Regarding PAC. I think you are being too hard on them. MH is a good coach. The 00 team isn't terrible and the 01 team at least tried and went to Disney. I think, and this is just my opinion I don't have insider info, they will bring in a new coach with an A license to coach the 99/00 team and MH will take the 01/02s. Possibly the opposite. Although I think SK coaches both older boys teams so MH may coach both. That would not be a bad thing. The real question is will they have any movement back from PF of the Central PA kids (a lot of the 02 team was Penn Legacy and one excellent 01 started at PAC) or conversely, will the best kids from HMMS, LDC, PL, Pipeline, premier strikers come to PAC and augment their top players to create a competitive team in the DA?

The 00 team isn't terrible and the 01 team at least tried and went to Disney???

The PAC 01 and 00 teams have had poor results against low level PAGS teams. There is nothing now or in the history of the PAC girls program that shows they should be in the GDA. So if the leadership couldn't do right in the past what is going to make it change now?

So will bringing in players from other places be the solution? Baltimore Armour or Pipeline are going to get GDA when it expands. I don't think you should count on building your future with players from Maryland. Transform the PAC girls program now and you won't have to worry about players leaving Central PA, because if you don't change the program players will continue to go to other clubs. PAC shouldn’t be like the other club, PAC should build their own players first and bring in players from other places to supplement rosters second. It should not be the other way around. It can be done.

Um, I think the poster was trying to say essentially that PAC was trying to get the players seen on a more than regional basis in going to Disney. Would not be bragging about a finalist in one of the lowest brackets. Just take the compliment. You just weakened his point.

Seriously why in the world would you think Unerarmour and pipeline would get a girls DA spot. They aren't even close.Like it or not the GDA will be a big draw. maybe not next year while some take a wait and see position, but soon.It happened with the boys and it will also happen witht he girls. The USSF will attract the best hoping for YNT camps and the next tier of hopefuls will follow. No doubt in a few years, maybe after our kid's time, there will be a clear winner.

PAC does poorly because the best kids leave the area for the ECNL. Now that they have the same draw, since PF will keep GDA, they will regain those kids unless they provide a terrible coach and team. Unlikely to happen. PAC just got a big boost.

There will be kids that stick around PAC area and some that still travel to PF. The PF kids have been playing ECNL for years. Kind of an advantage already. I am not dissing PAC at all. I think they are a good organization, good coaches and players. There will be a some hiccups, but it should be fine.

800 I agree for the last couple of years and before PAC gets its act together, the local kids wont leace PF. My point was in the future, maybe as early witht he PL 02, PAC won't lose those kids to PF any longer and will probably compete for the Harrisburg kids too. Reading more than likely also. If they put together an equivalent or better program they will keep the flood eastward at bay.

From time to time PAC has established a "West" team, which has catered to kids west of the Susquehanna. These teams seem to have had more of an affiliated relationship or special circumstances, but if PAC institutionalized such a program with "East" and "West" teams, and perhaps merged with one of the Harrisburg area clubs, it could dominate the Central PA market.

MH is an excellent coach. Best I've seen and I've seen a lot. His 02 team is very good. They do very well in the top bracket at all of the top tournaments. PAC 01 coach is not comparable to him. May be the problem there. If Lancaster and Harrisburg area girls travel to PF next year so be it. Their loss if MH is coach.

The poster that said the PF 01 coach plays favorites is spot on. He is a good trainer however come game time he likes who he likes and those are the players that get the most play time. He is also very well known for telling parents/players anything they want to hear, not necessarily the truth.

The decision for my daughter will come down to Coaching. ANY DA club is going to get your child great exposure.

MH grabs the perceived most talented teams. Although most of the powerful coaches and DOC do the same everywhere. I would expect him to be named girls DOC. He took the 99/00 team at U13 when he thought they were going to be good and then kids left for PF leaving him with a weak team so he gave them to NH and they were lost. This year the 00 team was supposed to go to TH, not sure what happened there, but the MH stepped in because he had the 00/01 before anyway after he swapped out the 99/00. Wonder if he's still in the picture for PAC next year. He's obviously tied into the USSF as the MTC guy for the EPA area.

I would expect MH to take at least one of the older DA teams if not both. I can't remember for sure but I think AR brought the 02/01 up through U-littles. He is a phenomenal U-little coach. PAC has good bones. With a little fleshing out could easily dominate Central PA. Expect the Harrisburg clubs to consider some partnerships to stay relevant beyond u-littles.

PF 01 coach is a good guy. A teacher and well trained. He does wear his favorites on his sleeve and that is his weakness. He is an outstanding trainer. One of the best.

11;15Heard similar things from an ex-PAC parent whose daughter went to PFThere have been a few other unplanned coaching changes, not sure what happened. I also heard birth year changes were not kind to the club.If TH is still involved, one would think this would attract players.

There will no longer be a reason for Central PA players to travel to Penn fusion now that the DA is there. Equal ground with the exposure now being at the same level and PA classics has some very good coaches, MH being just one.

Certainly should catch the attention of the my kid should be at YNT camp crowd. But in all reality the USSF definitely has its eye on PAC as the "birthplace" of Pulisic. Would think a special player coming out of that club would have an edge with the feds.

12:47 - That's what my daughter says, and it is her decision. She says that she does not want to spend her life in the car, even if it means playing for a so-called "lesser" club. The player needs to buy into and own the process, not the parent. The parent guides, the player decides.

Well not necessarily. Some of us driving our kids, paying for gas etc and/ or trending academic performance and teenaged angst may decide for them if travel 1-2 hours is not feasible for the family or child. Even assuming they want the further option.

1:05So I have a Plymouth Cruiser and just put a Porsche logo on it. Is it now a Porsche? Just slapping a DA emblem on a club is the beginning...ECNL label has been leader for girls side, not just fading away

I don't see USYS being a player since none of the GDA clubs have teams besides PDA Shore.

Super Y -the big joke on this blog might get a boost - it's club neutral played during the summer has both Spirit clubs plus PWSI part of the VDA.

I'm still shocked Oakwood and Cedar Stars have not left NPL - maybe still waiting on ECNL entry?

Which leaves PAC - a club that doesn't play regional or national on the girls side this year at u16, which should tell you everything you need to know about how much they believe in their kids at least they do big tournaments.

I really can see Super Y stepping up- just go to their page and the girls holding the trophy has an ECNL logo on her jersey.

8:10 - part of the choices kids will have to make. Not everyone will go to GDA. However, some realize that if soccer is their #1 sport for development, the time has arrived to make the decision. Part of the maturity process.

11:49 - your coach can sign you up for any USYS league and they all build up just like the NCS state cup towards the National Championships in TX.

For US Club's NPL the club needs to enter and field teams at different ages. Teams can play US Club State Cup or US Club Regional Tournaments as they are pay to play to qualify for their National Cup.

Depends on your club and coach what the vision for the team is. maybe it's just Bethesda, CASL, Disney, Jefferson and Delco/PDA.

11:55 I agree choices will need to be made dual sport HS stars or follow the soccer dream where ever it may end College/Pro (NWSL or UEFA)/NT. There was a girl that just recently left college to play pro in Europe. Choices to be made.

The Wash Spirit Virginia DA appears to be in complete disarray. Rumors of few, if any, kids showing up for the ID clinics, uncertainty regarding who the coaches will be or where practices will be held, high cost estimates (likely b/c they included travel). Spirit will end up associating with second (or third) tier programs. Not to mention DA competition from FCV and VDA, both of which will draw players from the same area. For now, in the DC area at least, it looks like ECNL will be the safer option for most players, as BRYC has a very strong track record of developing players, and McLean and Bethesda both will continue to have strong programs with established coaches.

A lot of good clubs in the Nova area, and Wash Spirit appears to have an affiliation with none of them. I can't see these starting off well at least. Maybe over time kids move for the DA.

This article is also the first time I've seen in writing that a club (FC Virginia) had to make the DA vs ECNL choice. There has been a lot of talk about it, but this is the first I've seen it confirmed.

OK enough is enough the USSF GDA has been stating the girls development academy is to help develop homegrown players here in the U.S. Its good they are putting a emphasis on development but hearing of GDA clubs inviting international players is observed. Sorry that is totally out of line now, yes my daughter wants to play GDA she is currently is on a ECNL squad but in my opinion if a foreign player is subject of a roster spot and fully paid for this is not development just plain ignorance. This not political but I do like to preach take care of our own first USSF.

I'm not over thinking it. Curiosity set it when they mentioned international and I looked up plenty of boy's DA rosters and yes there are international players on many of them. To my point USSF is setting the GDA or Boy DA to make soccer in America better but invite foreign players on roster thus taking away a roster from a potential player in the U.S. to me that makes no sense. Not sure if others agree with me but I'll petition a walk on USSF offices for that. LOL

Immigrant population in "The DMV" is huge, but from a cultural perspective, the girls do not participate in soccer at near the levels the boys do. This may change over time, but is not happening yet. Also, "international" players may be sourced from the many private schools in the area, and children of diplomats and diplomatic staff. What I would like to know, and have not seen anything mentioned about is how Evergreen FC factors into the equation because it is run somewhat like a DA is run. Anybody know much about Evergreen's future plans?

The "international" comment seemed to be referring to the VA side of Spirit's DA. Although that kid lives in MD and currently plays in VA, the location of the Spirit DA doesn't make sense for her geographically. Are you saying she was at the MD or VA Spirit ID session?

More on Washington Spirit Virginia:http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/youth-girls/washington-spirit-partners-with-reston-soccer-finds-home-base-for-girls-da/?loc=psw

Looks like Spirit has been rejected by all of the top clubs in Northern Virginia and is reduced to teaming up with an essentially community travel club in order to get field space. Look for Spirit VA to be the weakest of the three northern Virginia DAs, and one of the weakest overall.

Meanwhile, hearing rumors that lots of FCV players, at least in the older age groups, would prefer to stick with ECNL and are already starting to reach out to BRYC and McLean.